Chronic fatigue syndrome decisions — 2023

The appeal for TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for the initial disability rating of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and muscle joint stiffness and pain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, IBS, and CFS have been granted. The decision also remanded the claims for PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, a skin disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The right knee disability was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection for PFB was also denied, with a noncompensable rating assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for GERD and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to potential secondary service connection, but did not specify any exposure basis or rating assigned.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis), headache disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral knee disability are all granted as service-connected due to exposure to burn pits during his deployment in Southwest Asia. Effective dates will be determined based on the date of receipt of claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis claim is remanded, and his chronic fatigue syndrome (to include as due to Gulf War syndrome) claim requires further development.,The Veteran was not found to have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss or obstructive sleep apnea disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include TBI, a psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the VA standards for a diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claims for sleep condition other than obstructive sleep apnea, chronic headaches, lower back condition, bilateral knee condition, skin condition, and stomach condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence or inadequate opinions in previous examinations.,Further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and OSA are granted service connection. The issues of chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and sleep disturbances related to these conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his Gulf War illness, including for left and right lower extremity neuropathy, a right knee disability, a left knee disability, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, CFS, or undiagnosed illness manifested by fatigue due to a lack of evidence linking his symptoms to service.

The Board has found that further development is required before adjudication of the service connection claims can proceed. The Veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) medical records and VA treatment records from Monroeville, VA Outpatient Clinic need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of private medical records and a need for clarification on whether rheumatoid arthritis is present. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has found that additional evidence received since the September 2019 SOC requires remand for readjudication of all issues. The Veteran's claims are not related to any specific exposure basis, and no presumption or service connection theory is specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to additional evidence received and the PACT Act, which requires a TERA-specific examination.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran had other disabilities, including sleep apnea and recurrent rashes, which are not directly related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional information received, including confirmation of toxic exposure and Persian Gulf War Veteran status. A TERA VA examination is required for all relevant issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with IVDS is dismissed as moot due to a prior grant of service connection. The claims for increased rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), high blood pressure (hypertension), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and headaches are all denied. The claim for service connection for flat foot-foot pain (also claimed as foot cramps/spasms of left foot) and knee conditions is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue with dizziness and headaches due to medically unexplained multi-symptom illness, as well as his TDIU claim. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records, including prison treatment records, and obtain retrospective VA opinions addressing the nature and severity of these conditions prior to August 18, 2015, and their impact on work capacity.